Cards with serial magnetic emulators

ABSTRACT

A card is provided, such as a credit card or security card, that may transmit information to a magnetic stripe reader via a magnetic emulator. The emulator may transmit the information serially in order to reduce the amount of circuitry needed to emulate a particular block of information. Additionally, for example, a serial encoder may send any amount of information through a single emulation segment. Such a magnetic emulator may be provided on a credit card. A dynamic credit card number may be provided by, for example, coding a number with a different coding scheme for different periods of time. The magnetic emulator may be utilized to transmit a particular coded number for a particular period of time. In this manner, a dynamic credit card number may be provided such that to help secure, and progress, a payment transaction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Nos. 61/016,491 filed on Dec. 24, 2007 (Docket No. JDM/019PROV), 61/026,846 filed on Feb. 7, 2008 (Docket No. JDM/019PROV2),61/027,807 filed on Feb. 11, 2008 (Docket. No. JDM/020 PROV), 61/081,003filed on Jul. 15, 2008 (Docket No. D/005 PROV), 61/086,239 filed on Aug.5, 2008 (Docket No. D/006 PROV), 61/090,423 filed on Aug. 20, 2008(Docket No. D/007 PROV), 61/097,401 filed Sep. 16, 2008 (Docket No.D/008 PROV), 61/112,766 filed on Nov. 9, 2008 (Docket No. D/009 PROV),61/117,186 filed on Nov. 23, 2008 (D/010 PROV), 61/119,366 filed on Dec.2, 2008 (Docket No. D/011 PROV), and 61/120,813 filed on Dec. 8, 2008,all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to cards such as payment cards.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A card, or other device, is provided with a magnetic emulator operableto communicate with a magnetic stripe reader. The emulator may beoperable to communicate a block of information serially such that areader may sense the emulator and the information may be transmittedthrough the emulator serially. Accordingly, the emulator may compriseof, for example, a single wire or coil and may transmit bits one-by-oneat high frequencies such that all information in a block is transmittedto a magnetic stripe reader while the read head of the reader is in theproximity of the single wire or coil. An emulator may also be providedin a parallel configuration such that multiple bits of data are emulatedat the same time. For example, a parallel emulator may include 3000regions to emulate 3000 bits simultaneously while a serial emulator mayinclude a single region to communicate the 3000 bits in rapidsuccession.

A card, or other device, having a magnetic emulator may take the formof, for example, a credit card, debit card, security card, and/or anyother type of card. Accordingly, the dynamic information may be adynamic credit card number, a dynamic debit card number, a dynamicsecurity number, or any other type of dynamic number. A display may beprovided to display the data, or a portion of the data, communicatedthrough an emulator or additional data. For example, a one type ofsecurity code may be displayed on a display and another type of securitycode may be communicated through a magnetic emulator.

A payment card, such as a credit card, may be provided that includes adisplay. All, or a portion of, a payment card number (e.g., a creditcard) may, for example, be changed periodically and displayed on thedisplay. Similarly, this changed information may be emulated via aparallel or serial emulator. A magnetic encoder may also be utilized toerase and write information to a magnetic medium.

A parallel or serial emulator may be located next to one or moremagnetic stripe segments (e.g., sandwiched between two magnetic stripesegments). A magnetic stripe may be utilized to transmit staticinformation such that power is conserved. For example, if the beginningbits of a data block must take a particular form (e.g., start bitsfollowed by user identification information) then this information maybe embodied as a magnetic stripe. A serial or parallel emulator may thenbe provided to communicate the remaining information of the block (e.g.,dynamic credit card number).

Numerous types of structures may be utilized to determine when a readhead of a magnetic stripe reader is reading, or is about to read, amagnetic stripe or a dynamic magnetic communications device (e.g., amagnetic emulator or encoder). Such structures may be utilized to turn amagnetic emulator, such as a serial magnetic emulator, ON. By onlyturning an emulator ON when the emulator is in the proximity of amagnetic stripe reader, power may be conserved. For example, a buttonmay be provided on a card, or other device, such that a user may providemanual input to instruct the card, or other device, to turn an emulatorON. Alternatively, for example, one or more sensors may be provided todetermine the presence of a read-head of a magnetic stripe reader. Forexample, a hall-effect sensor may be provided to detect a magneticfield's interaction with a read-head, a circuit may be provided todetect the presence of a conductive material, and/or a circuit may beprovided to detect the capacitance of a particular material.Alternatively still, for example, the swiping motion of a card may bedetected via one or more inertial sensors such as accelerometers and/orgyroscopes. Upon the initiation of turning an emulator ON, the emulatormay be driven through a routine (e.g., repeatedly emulating the sameblock of information serially for a period of time or for a number ofdata transmissions). A card, or other device, may include, for example,a magnetic stripe section, followed by a read head detector, followed bya serial or parallel encoder. A second magnetic stripe section mayfollow the serial or parallel encoder (e.g., and another read headdetector may precede the encoder to determine when the read head is notreading the encoder).

An emulator may be fabricated using a PCB printing technique. Such atechnique may provide the emulator on, for example, a PCB board (e.g.FR4 board). Any additional components may be fabricated on the flexiblePCB board. For example, a processor, display, and emulator may befabricated on the same flexible PCB board. Such a flexible PCB board maybe coupled to a flexible battery and hot-film laminated or coldlaminated (e.g., injection molding) to form a card.

The flexible PCB board and flexible battery may be placed into anyhousing of any device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principles and advantages of the present invention can be moreclearly understood from the following detailed description considered inconjunction with the following drawings, in which the same referencenumerals denote the same structural elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of cards constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of emulators constructed in accordance withthe principles of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of process topologies constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a card constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a personal electronic device constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows card 100 that may include a display that displays dynamicnumber 110, which may be utilized, for example, as part of a credit cardnumber (e.g., with a static portion of a credit card number thatproceeds dynamic number 110). Persons skilled in the art will appreciatethat a dynamic number may take any forms such as, for example, a dynamiccredit card number, a dynamic verification code number, and/or a dynamicsecurity code number. For example, card 100 may include a dynamic creditcard number and a dynamic verification code (e.g., a 15 digit creditcard number and a 4 digit verification code).

Identification information 120 may be provided on card 100. Accordingly,for example, a dynamic number may be provided for a particular period oftime according to a coding scheme for that particular period of time.Thus, the identification information, time, and dynamic information maybe transmitted via manual entry (e.g., through an online store) or via amagnetic emulator (e.g., through a magnetic stripe reader). A remoteserver may receive such information and verify whether the dynamicinformation is correct for particular identification information and aparticular period of time.

Card 150 is provided and may include magnetic emulator 160 instead ofmagnetic stripe 170. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate thatmagnetic emulator 160 may be embedded behind a magnetic stripe or may belocated next to a magnetic stripe. Magnetic emulator 160 may take manyforms. For example, magnetic emulator 160 may include any number ofemulation segments (e.g., one or more wires or coils) to emulate aparticular bit or number of bits of information.

Emulator 160 may include a single emulation segment and may communicatea block of information serially by communicating bits at a high datatransmission rate. Accordingly, a serial emulator may be provided.

Emulator 160 may include multiple emulation segments—each of which may,for example, simultaneously emulate a different bit of information.Accordingly, a parallel emulator may be provided.

Emulator 160 may include multiple emulation segments—each of which may,for example, emulate the same bit of information. Accordingly, a serialemulator may be provided. Such a serial emulator may, for example, allowfor a larger area to be read by a reader. In doing so, for example, aread head may be located over emulator 160 for a longer period of timesuch that more information may be read by a read-head for a particularperiod of time.

FIG. 2 shows card 200, which may include any number of emulators. Forexample, card 200 may include emulator 210, 220, and 230. Each ofemulators 210, 220, and 230 may, for example, be a serial emulator. Suchemulators may be vertically aligned or vertically staggered. Personsskilled in the art will appreciate that by providing multiple emulators,multiple tracks of a magnetic stripe may be simultaneously emulated.

A magnetic stripe reader may, for example, determine information on amagnetic stripe by detecting the frequency of changes in magnetic fields(e.g., flux transversals). A particular frequency of flux transversalsmay correlate to, for example, a particular information state (e.g., alogic “1” or a logic “0”). Accordingly, for example, a magnetic emulatormay change the direction of an electromagnetic field at particularfrequencies in order to communicate a different state of information(e.g., a logic “1” or a logic “0”).

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a magnetic emulator mayelectromagnetically communicate information serially by changing themagnitude of an electromagnetic field with respect to time. As such, forexample, a current in a single direction may be provided through amagnetic emulator in order for that magnetic emulator to generate anelectromagnetic field of a single direction and a particular magnitude.The current may then be removed from the magnetic emulator such that,for example, the electromagnetic field is removed. The creation of apresence of an electromagnetic field, and the removal of thatelectromagnetic field, may be utilized to communicate information to,for example, a magnetic stripe reader. A magnetic stripe reader may beconfigured to read, for example, the change in flux versus time and mayassociate an increase in an electromagnetic field (e.g., creation of afield) as one flux transversal and a decrease (e.g., removal of a field)as another transversal. In doing so, for example, driving circuitry (notshown) may be provided which, in turn, controls when current is providedto a magnetic emulator. The timing of magnetic flux transversals, asdetermined by a magnetic stripe reader, may be utilized by that readerto determine whether a logic one (“1”) or logic zero (“0”) wascommunicated. Accordingly, a driving circuit may change the frequency ofwhen current is supplied and removed from a magnetic emulator in orderto communicate a logic one (“1”) or a logic zero (“0”).

A driving circuit may, for example, change the direction of currentsupplied to a magnetic emulator to increase the amount of change in anelectromagnetic field magnitude for a period of time. In doing so, forexample, a magnetic stripe reader may more easily be able to discernoverall changes in an electromagnetic field and, as such, may moreeasily be able to discern information. As such, for example, a drivingcircuit may increase the magnitude of an electromagnetic field byproviding negative current, decrease the amount of negative currentuntil no current is provided and provide an increasing positive currentin order to provide a large swing in the magnitude of an electromagneticfield. Similarly, a driving circuit may switch from providing one amountof negative current (or positive current) to one amount of positivecurrent (or negative current).

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a string of a particularbit of data (e.g., a string of logic zeros “0s”) may be communicatedbefore as well as after information is communicated through a magneticemulator. A magnetic stripe reader may utilize such data, for example,to determine base timing information such that the magnetic stripereader has a timing reference that the reader can utilize to assist indetermining timing changes of perceived flux transversals. Accordingly,for example, a magnetic emulator may send data at different overallfrequencies and a magnetic stripe reader may be able to reconfigureitself to receive data at such overall frequencies. Information may beencoded using, for example, Frequency/Double Frequency (F2F) encodingsuch that magnetic stripe readers may perform F2F decoding.

A processor may control one or more emulators by, for example,controlling the direction of the current supplied through one or moresegments of an emulator. By changing the direction of current through aregion, for example, the direction of an electromagnetic field may bechanged. Similarly, a processor may control one or more emulators by,for example, controlling the change in magnitude of current suppliedthrough one or more segments of an emulator. As such, for example, aprocessor may increase the magnitude of current as well as decrease themagnitude of current supplied through an emulator. A processor maycontrol the timing of such increases and decreases in current such thata magnetic emulator may, for example, communicate F2F encodedinformation.

Card 250 may be provided and may include emulator 260. Emulator 260 maybe configured so that it can be read by more than one read heads. Forexample, emulator 260 may be configured so that it can be read by threeread heads. Accordingly, one region may be utilized to communicate thesame information across all three read heads simultaneously. Emulator260 may, for example, cycle through transmitting information from eachtrack such that all tracks are communicated serially. Such tracks may becommunicated with bits identifying each track such that processingconnected to each read-head can determine the information desired to becommunicated to each particular read-head. As such, a magnetic stripereader may be configured to receive the multiple tracks (e.g., tracks 1and 2) through each read-head such that the magnetic stripe readerreceives four tracks of data. The magnetic stripe reader may then, forexample, utilize identification bits (e.g., start sentinels) in eachtrack to identify the received track. Similarly, for example, themagnetic stripe reader may be configured to recognize that multipleinstances of the same track were received and only forward a singleinstance of each received track to a processor. Persons skilled in theart will appreciate that different tracks may be communicated with thesame identification bits. Accordingly, for example, a magnetic stripereader may be configured to determine the identity of tracks byperforming additional computations. For example, the magnetic stripereader may be configured to check all of the information sent in thosetracks and, if the information is the same, a single instance may beprovided to subsequent processing. Additionally, for example, themagnetic stripe reader may be configured to determine the length oftracks with the same identification bits (e.g., start sentinels) todetermine whether different tracks were communicated. Similarly, asingle emulator that sequentially communicates multiple different tracksof information to a single read-head may, for example, change the timingof each communicated track such that processing coupled to the singleread-head discerns just the single track that the read-head expected toreceive.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a magnetic stripe on acard may be of a particular density having a fixed amount of bits. Aserial emulator, for example, may communicate more than this fixedamount of bits by, for example, increasing the rate at which bits areserially communicated. A serial emulator may, for example, communicate aformat code that a reader may utilize to discern the length of thecommunicated information. For example, a serial emulator may communicatea track of information that is greater than, approximately, 750 bits inlength, 1,000 bits in length, or 2,000 bits in length. Any number ofbits may define, for example, a character (e.g., 4-bit characters, 5-bitcharacters, 6-bit characters, 7-bit characters, or 8-bit characeters).

FIG. 3 shows card 300 that may include structures to determine when card300 is being read by a magnetic stripe reader. Card 300 may includemagnetic emulator 340. For example, card 300 may include button 310 thatmay be pressed in order to initiate an emulator such as emulator 340.Emulator 340 may be configured to turn ON while button 310 is pressed.Alternatively, for example, emulator 340 may be configured to turn ONwhen button 310 is pressed for a particular period of time, to transmita particular sequence of data (e.g., information including a number thatchanges with every button press), and/or a particular number ofrepetitions of a sequence of the same data. Persons skilled in the artwill appreciate that if a button press of button 310 is associated withturning emulator 340 ON for a particular period (e.g., more than 1second but less than 5 seconds) of time then, for example, emulator 340may only turn ON for a relatively short period of time (or not at all)when button 310 is accidently pressed down for a relatively long periodof time. Inertial movement sensor 320 may be included to detect a swipein order to initiate one or more emulators. Inertial movement sensor 320may include, for example, any number of accelerometers and/orgyroscopes. Read-head sensor 330 may be included to detect when a readhead of a magnetic stripe reader is about to pass over, or is passingover, emulator 340. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate thatmultiple read head sensors 330 may be located (e.g., aligned vertically)adjacent to emulator 340 as different sensors may detect different typesof readers. Additionally, for example, one or more sensors may be placedon the other side of emulator 340 such that emulator 340 is sandwichedbetween sensors. In this manner, for example, emulator 340 may betriggered regardless of the direction that card 300 is swiped. Sensorsmay include, for example, hall-effect sensors, capacitive sensors,and/or conductive material sensors. Conductive material sensors maydetect conductive material by closing an electrical loop that uses theconductive material to close the electrical loop.

Card 350 may include emulator 360. Emulator 360 may extend, for example,along the majority of the length of card 350 (or approximately all ofcard 350). Emulator 360 may be a parallel emulator or, for example, maybe a serial emulator. For example, emulator 360 may be a coil such thata single bit is emulated by emulator 360 at a time. Such an emulator 380may, for example, switch bits being emulated at a high rate so that aread-head of a magnetic stripe reader can receive a large amount ofinformation while the read-head of the magnetic stripe reader is locatedover emulator 360.

FIG. 4 shows emulators 400, 420, 450, and 470. Emulator 400 may include,for example, contacts 401 and 402 that may provide a current throughconductive segments 405, 406, and 407 in a particular direction.Particularly, for example, a voltage may be applied across contacts of aparticular polarity to provide a current in a particular direction(given the particular resistance of the emulator). Driving circuitry maybe coupled to one or more contacts for providing a particular current(e.g., of a particular direction and/or particular magnitude).Information may be communicated by, for example, supplying current toand emulator, and removing the current supply from the emulator, in afashion that results in communicating information to a magnetic stripereader through electromagnetic fields provided by the emulator.Additional circuitry may be provided to control different attributes ofan electrical signal provided to conductive segments 405, 406, and 407.For example, a transistor may be provided to assist with controlling themagnitude of a current that reaches conductive segments 405, 406, and407.

Emulator 400 may be fabricated, for example, using any fabricationtechnique such as a printed circuit board fabrication technique (e.g.,utilizing FR4). Via 410 and via 415 may be included to electricallycouple conductive segments 405 and 407 to conductive segment 406.Accordingly, for example, conductive segment 406 may be provided at adifferent height then conductive segment 405 and conductive segment 407(e.g., with respect to a base). For example, conductive segments 405 and407 may be provided one surface of a material while conductive segment406 is provided on another surface of a material. Segment 405 and 407may be located closer to the reverse side of a card while segment 406may be located closer to the obverse side of a card (or vise versa).Accordingly, for example, wire segments 405, 406, and 407 may take on athree-dimensional shape and particular segments (e.g., wire segment 406)may be closer to a particular surface than other segments. Personsskilled in the art will appreciate that segment 406 may be angled (e.g.,with respect to a top or bottom edge of a card) or may be in parallel(with respect to a top or bottom edge of a card). An emulator mayinclude multiple instances of emulator 400 coupled in, for example, aseries configuration. Conductive segments on the same surface of amaterial may be, for example, spaced uniformly on that surface.Accordingly, for example, a coil may be provided as an emulator withnumerous turns and a current may be provided through that emulator suchthat an electromagnetic field is generated that is operable to be sensedby a magnetic stripe reader.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous vias and linesegments may be provided such that conductive segments are provided atseveral heights. Thus, for example, a coil may be fabricated on amultiple layer board. Emulator 400 may be utilized, for example, totransmit information serially. For example, the direction of theelectromagnetic field created by line segments 405, 406, and 407 may bechanged. Control circuitry may, in turn, change the direction of theelectromagnetic field (e.g., by changing the direction of the current)at different frequencies such that a reader configured to detect thefrequency of field reversals (e.g., using F2F decoding) can receiveinformation. As such, emulator 400 may communicate multiple bits of dataserially by utilizing line segments 405, 406, and 407. Any number ofline segments may be added. Additionally, for example, only a singleconductive segment may be provided. Furthermore, multiple instances ofemulator 400 may be placed next to each other and may be separatelycontrolled. In doing so, for example, multiple, independentelectromagnetic fields may be controlled such that different informationmay be emulated simultaneously (e.g., in parallel).

Conductive segments may, for example, be printed on a board (e.g., aflexible PCB board) in a conductive material (e.g., a metal). Similarly,vias may be provided and filled to provide conductive interconnects.Multiple layers may be printed to provide a three-dimensional PCB.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that an emulatormay be provided on a single layer with any number of conductive segments(e.g., one or more than one).

Emulator 420 may be provided and may include conductive segment array423. Person skilled in the art will appreciate that conductive segmentarray 423 may be fabricated in multiple layers to form a coil.Accordingly, the coil may be provided with a current of a particulardirection and may generate an associated electromagnetic field acrossthe coil. Additionally, for example, current may be provided and removedfrom emulator 420 to communicate information. In extending the length ofan array (e.g., adding more segments or increasing the space ofsegments), the amount of time a read head is operable to readinformation from an array may be increased.

Emulator 450 may be provided and may include contacts 451 and 452 toprovide a current (e.g., a current of a particular direction) toconductive segment array 453. Persons skilled in the art will appreciatethat conductive segments in array 453 may be coupled to vias that arenot horizontally aligned with one another. Accordingly, the vias may bestaggered. In doing so, for example, the conductive segments may bespaced closer together as vias may be spaced closer together. Forexample, by staggering the lengths of line segments, vias 454 and 455may be able to be provided at larger densities. In turn, a coil may beprovided with an increased number of turns.

Emulator 470 may be provided and may include array 471 controlled bycontacts 472 and 473. Vertical conductive segments may, for example, becontrolled together or may be controlled independently (e.g., by havinga separate pair of contacts for each vertical conductive segment).Components may be provided on each segment in order to, for example,provide current through each segment. For example, resistors may beadded to each segment. The resistors of each segment may be different.For example, the resistance of each segment may be configured to besubstantially equal. Multiple emulators may be utilized on a structure(e.g., a card or other device) to communicate to, for example,communicate to different read heads or the same read head.

FIG. 5 shows flow charts 510, 520, and 530. Flow chart 510 may beutilized in a card or any other device (e.g., a token or personalelectronic device). Step 510 may be utilized to transmit a first blockof data (e.g., track 1 credit card information). Step 512 may thenreceive an indication to switch the data block that is beingcommunicated. Such a switch may be done autonomously through processinglogic or manually through a manual interface such as a button. Step 513may provide a second block of data (e.g., track 2 credit cardinformation). In this manner, for example, an emulator may providedifferent types of data in different types of formats and at differentdata block lengths.

Flow chart 520 may be provided and may include step 521, in which asignal is received to initiate a transmission. Such a transmission maytake the form of an emulation and may be triggered autonomously throughsoftware (e.g., the detection of a read head) or manually through amanual interface (e.g., one or more buttons). Step 522 may initiate andrepeatedly send a block of data serially. Step 523 may initiate and asignal may be received to end a transmission. Such a signal may beprovided, for example, autonomously through software (e.g., thedetection of a read-head by a second detector circuit after an emulator)or manually through a manual interface (e.g., on or more buttons.Transmission may be ended in step 524.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a read-head detector maybe utilized to cause a magnetic emulator to, for example, transmit ablock of information serially(e.g., payment information) once each timethe read-head detector senses a read-head. Alternatively, for example, aread-head detector may be utilized to cause a magnetic emulator to,serially transmit the same block of information repeatedly a particularnumber of times or for a particular period of time. Pauses may beintroduced between transmissions of the block of information (e.g.,payment information). Any dynamic magnetic communications device (e.g.,one or more emulators and/or encoders) may be utilized based on thereadings of one or more read-head detectors.

Flow chart 530 may be provided. Step 531 may, for example, change thecoding of a number based on time (e.g., may code a credit card numberdifferently with respect to time). Accordingly, a number may be changedbased on the changed coding in step 532. The coded block may betransmitted in step 533. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate thata number (e.g., a dynamic number) may be provided visual via a displayas well as magnetically via an emulator. Such a visual and emulationdisplay may occur simultaneously. A different manual interface may beutilized (e.g., a different button) to turn a display ON or to turn anemulator ON.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a particular magneticstripe track (e.g., track 2 of a payment card such as a credit card) mayhave a particular amount of information at a particular density and in aparticular format. For example, an emulator may transmit 40 characters,where each character is represented by 5 bits, by transmitting 200 bits.A magnetic stripe may include a track with, for example, 400 magneticregions that may represent a maximum of approximately 400 fluxreversals. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that, furtheringthis example, with serial transmission, all 400 flux reversals (or more)may be transmitted by a single region. If start bits are utilized in adata block, then, for example, the data block may be repeatedly sent andresent and be properly utilized by a reader. For example, if a readerpicks up a serial transmission in the middle of a transmission, thereader may not recognize the start bits and may wait until a start bitsare received. Thus, an emulator may be driven such that it can, forexample, send a data block approximately at least twice (e.g.,approximately 800 associated flux reversals if a block is associatedwith 400 flux reversals) while a read-head of a magnetic stripe readeris operable to communicate with an emulator (e.g., the read-head islocated over the emulator). In doing so, for example, an emulator may beable to transmit a block regardless of when a read head starts reading ablock.

A magnetic stripe reader may, for example, be configured such that it isable to sense approximately at least 30,000 flux changes per second.Accordingly, an emulator region may transmit, for example, two blocks ofinformation (e.g., of 400 transversals) to such a reader inapproximately 0.0266 seconds. If, for example, the region isapproximately 1 mm wide, the user may be operable to swipe atapproximately 0.037 meters/second (approximately 1.5 inches/second) andthe information may be communicated to a reader. If, for example, theregion is approximately 5 mm wide, the user may swipe at approximately7.5 inches/second and the information may be communicated to a reader.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that larger currents may beutilized to drive larger regions. Persons skilled in the art willappreciate that users may be able to swipe at a variety of speeds, andmay change the speed of the swipe while a card is being read by areader, and an emulator may still properly transmit information viaemulation. An emulator may be provided, for example, such that a usermay swipe at speeds up to at least approximately 0.5, 1, 5, 10feet/second for a particular reader (e.g., a reader operable of reader30,000 flux changes a second).

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a number ofmanufacturing techniques may be utilized. An emulator may provide auniform field for a particular distance about the surface of a card, butmay be able to rapidly change the direction of the field. A coil may beprovided using a two-layer or several-layer PCB techniques. Personsskilled in the art will appreciate that the width of a conductivesegment (e.g., a wire trace) may be approximately 0.003 inches (orlarger) and the diameter of vias connecting layers may be approximately0.008 inches (or larger). Additionally, for example, a pattern ofconcentric rectangles may be utilized to produce a desired field inserial (or in parallel, for example, if multiple are utilized)transmission scheme. A single trace may also be split into multipleparallel traces that collective generate a desired field pattern.

FIG. 6 shows card 600 that may include, for example, one or more ICchips 630 (e.g., EMV chips), RFID antennas 620, processors 640, displays650, dynamic magnetic communications devices 610 (e.g., magneticencoders and/or magnetic emulators), batteries 660, and buttons 651 and652. Additional circuitry 698 may be provided which may be, for example,one or more oscillators or emulator driving circuits. Persons skilled inthe art will appreciate that button 651 may, for example, be utilized bya user to select one encryption algorithm for a number displayed ondisplay 650 while button 652 may be utilized by a user to select adifferent encryption algorithm. Persons skilled in the art willappreciate that the components of card 600 may be provided on eithersurface of a card (e.g., a front or rear surface of the card) or insideof a card. A logo (e.g., of a card issuer) and logo may be provided oneither surface of a card.

A button, such as button 651, may be utilized, for example, to display anumber. Such a number may be, for example, encrypted from a securenumber based on time or use. For example, one-time use numbers (e.g., apayment number or code) may be retrieved from a list of numbers onmemory each time button 651 is pressed and displayed on display 650. Aprocessor may only go through each number once on a list. A registrationprocess may be provided in which a user may be requested to enter in asequence of numbers such that a remote server may validate the card andlearn where in a sequence of a list a card currently resides. Numbersmay be repeated on a list or may only occur once on a list. All of thenumbers available by the length of the number may be utilized by thelist or only a portion of the numbers available by the length of thenumber may be provided by the list. A secret number may be encrypted ona card and a verification server may also have knowledge of this secretnumber. Accordingly, the remote server may perform the same encryptionfunction as the card on the secret number and verify that the resultantencrypted number is the same as the resultant encrypted number on acard. Alternatively, for example, the remote server may decrypt thereceived encrypted number to determine the authenticity of the encryptednumber and validate an activity (e.g., validate a security accessrequest or a purchase transaction).

FIG. 7 shows card 700 that may include, for example, signature area 710that may include a material operable to receive marks from a pen (e.g.,a signature). Card 700 may also include, for example, displays 720 and730. Display 720 may, for example, display a payment number whiledisplay 730 displays a security code (e.g., for online purchaseauthentication). Display 720 as well as display 730 may be utilized onthe same side as, for example, dynamic magnetic communications device710.

FIG. 8 shows personal electronic device 800 which may be, for example, aportable telephonic device, portable media player, or any type ofelectronic device. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that thefunctionality of a card may be provided on a personal device anddisplayed through a graphical user interface. Personal electronic device800 may include, for example, user inputs 840 and display 810. Virtualcard 820 may be displayed on display 820. Display 820 may be atouch-sensitive display such that, for example, virtual button 830 maybe provided on virtual card 820. Persons skilled in the art willappreciate that cards may be provided as virtual cards and a user mayinteract with such virtual cards in order to provide a variety offunctions. Personal electronic device 800 may communicate to a cardreader such as, for example, an RFID reader.

A display may be bi-stable or non bi-stable. A bi-stable display mayconsume electrical energy to change the information displayed on thebi-stable display but may not consume electrical energy to maintain thedisplay of that information. A non bi-stable display may consumeelectrical energy to both change and maintain information on the nonbi-stable display. A display driving circuit may be provided, forexample, for a bi-stable display (or a non bi-stable display). Such adisplay driving circuit may step-up a supply voltage (e.g., 1-5 volts)to a larger voltage (e.g., 6-15 volts) such that a bi-stable display maychange displayed information. A controller (e.g., a processor) may beutilized to control such a display driving circuit. Persons skilled inthe art will appreciate that a display may be configured to displaynumerical data or alphanumerical data. A display may also be configuredto display other indicia (e.g., the image of a battery and its remaininglife).

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a dynamic magneticcommunications device (e.g., a magnetic emulator or magnetic encoder)may be fabricated, either completely or partially, in silicon andprovided as a silicon-based chip. Other circuitry (e.g., drivingcircuitry) may also be fabricated on such a silicon-based chip. Aprocessor, such as a processor for controlling a magnetic communicationsdevice, may be, for example, a programmable processor having on-boardprogrammable non-volatile memory (e.g., FLASH memory), volatile memory(e.g., RAM), as well as a cache. Firmware as well as payment information(e.g., dynamic numbers) may be, for example, communicated from aprogramming device to a processor's on-board programmable non-volatilememory (e.g., a FLASH memory) such that a card may provide a variety offunctionalities. Such a processor may also have one or more power-savingoperating modes, in which each operating mode turns OFF a different setof circuitry to provide different levels of power consumption. One ormore power-savings modes may turn OFF, for example, one or more clockingcircuitry provided on a processor. An Application-Specific IntegratedCircuit (ASIC) may also be included in a card or other device toprovide, for example, processing, dynamic magnetic communications, aswell as driving capabilities.

Persons skilled in the art will also appreciate that the presentinvention is not limited to only the embodiments described. Instead, thepresent invention more generally involves dynamic information. Personsskilled in the art will also appreciate that the apparatus of thepresent invention may be implemented in other ways then those describedherein. All such modifications are within the scope of the presentinvention, which is limited only by the claims that follow.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A card comprising: an electronic device operable tocommunicate first information to a read-head of a magnetic stripereader; a first capacitive sensor; a second capacitive sensor; a thirdcapacitive sensor; and a fourth capacitive sensor, wherein said first,second, third, and fourth capacitive sensors are utilized to detect saidread-head.
 12. The card of claim 11, further comprising a battery. 13.The card of claim 11, further comprising a processor.
 14. The card ofclaim 11, further comprising a second electronic device operable tocommunicate second information.